BeeTagg fundamentally distinguishes between codes that encode all data in the code itseld (StaticCodes) and codes that contain a link where the actual information is located (SystemCodes).

Examples:

Scan the codes above to see what they contain.

For users there is no visible difference between the Static Code and the System Code, but for code publishers System Codes are generally the better choice. The following sections compare the two code types to help you making the right choice for your company.

Static Codes

Static Codes are codes that encode the actual data in the code itself. Data is a generic term. It can be a URL, a vCard, Plain Text and other formats.

As you can see above, a Static Code's density can change: the more data you encode, the denser they become. Highly dense codes are harder to detect, and at some point you will need a cell phone with auto focus camera feature to identify the code. BE CAREFUL ABOUT THAT! About half of the codes we see are too dense and are therefore not detectable with an average cell phone.

Since all data is encoded in a Static Code, no Internet connection is required to access that data. That is the main advantage of Static Codes over the System Codes. This is very useful in certain circumstances, but it also means that you cannot change the data without changing the code. Once the code is printed, it will contain the same data forever!

Also, because Static Codes are not connected to the internet, there is no chance to track the code's activity. That might be acceptable in some cases, but in most circumstances (for example, campains) you miss a great opportunity to learn more about your user's behaviors and chances to optimize future campaigns.

System Codes

System Codes store a reference or link to the data - not the data itself. In 99% of all cases, the data is simply the target URL where the user is redirected to after scanning the code. This means anyone wishing to access the data must have an internet connection. The data is reliably stored on the BeeTagg Backend. There are many advantages to System Codes:

System Codes are editable, dynamic and trackable.

Editable

Just image a situation where you need to change the target URL of the code. This can happen more often than you think. Examples are:

​Your company changes the Content Management System after 14 months

​You want to switch between a Test Environment and a Productive Environment.

​You simply made a spelling error (this happens more often than you think)

URL parameters changed

Dynamic

A System Code is dynamic when its target URL contains placeholders.

Example:

http://www.mysite.com/page.php?language=%(ulang)&sw=%(screenwidth)

The placeholders %(ulang) and %(screenwidth) are reserved keywords and will be replaced upon Redirection. The calculated URL will look like this:

http://www.mysite.com/page.php?language=en&sw=480

There are many keywords available that you can use in your web application. Contact us for more information.

Trackable

Because there is a Redirection happening, you can track the code's activity. We offer very advantageous statistics with System Codes. And most of them are included in the System Code's fee:

Total Clicks

Clicks per Period

Activity Map (where are the codes clicked)

Comparison

The following table summarizes the key differences between Static Codes and System Codes:

System Codes

Static Codes

Change content (i.e. target URL) of the code.

Yes

No

Tracking code's activity

Yes

No

Easy detection with all phones

Yes

No

Dynamic content with URL placeholders.

Yes

No

Unlimited data.

Yes

No

Works without Internet connection

No

Yes

Available for BeeTagg Codes with superior detection capabilities.

Yes

No

Secure (Controllable)

Yes

No

Conclusion

In most scenarios, System Codes offer superior functionality compared to Static Codes. If you want to use your codes commercially, we strongly recommend System Codes. Static Codes are good for testing and to get you started, but System offer the statistics, dynamics, and tracking abilities that growing business require.